The struggle between the impermanence and indefiniteness that we all are going through during this pandemic made me write a little about this topic.

Why is it important?

Since our home is not just home now – it’s home, office, schoolroom, gym, restaurant, and the list can go on and on. This interim time should not sabotage our well-being because our physical environment can have an impact on our mental health. We all can bring vigor and sparkle into our everyday world by creating designated areas for each.

How to create these spaces?

Regardless of your profession, create a space where you spend maximum hours of the day and can call it a sacred place – a space just for yourself. This space should reflect the person you are, permeates energy, should inspire you and make you smile. Take time to declutter and organize it to increase focus and improve productivity. Natural light creates a feeling of calm, improves overall attitude, and reduces anxiety, so find a spot that gets maximum natural light. Perhaps you can include memorabilia that reminds you of poignant events in your life. I have created my space in one of the corners of my bedroom that has my laptop, monitor and music system.

What other things to consider?

Make sure that your sacred space is separate from the place where you relax. If you don’t have much space, layout in a way that lets you visually ‘leave work’ at the end of the day. As much as you may feel compelled to work longer hours to prove that you can be productive, draw a line between professional and personal life.

Integrating nature in your home by buying plants can create a tranquil space. You might have noticed how a walk in the park can do wonders, it reduces mental fatigue and stress. Also, studies have revealed that touching foliage elicits an unconscious calming effect. We might not realize it but most wall paints, computer parts, plastics, building materials, and so on break down over the time and release toxins into the air we breathe and plants can improve indoor air and reduce pollution to positive outcomes. Also, keep your windows open to let the fresh air come in and go for walks.

Dedicate some time to exercise either in the morning or evening based on your schedule even if it’s for 15 minutes, I am sure we can give that to ourselves. It’s not just about aerobic capacity and muscle size, sure you can improve your physique, trim your waistline but it’s more about the profound impact that exercise has on our well-being. I prefer to exercise in the morning as it keeps me fresh and active the entire day.

Take breaks and listen to either music, read a book, dance, or do whatever awakens something inside of you, gives you happiness, and brings joy. For me, music is the key and I have songs playing on low volume most of the time except when I am in meetings.

In the end, I want to state a quote.

Perfect is the enemy of the good!

Voltaire

Always do what is perfect for you as we all are different individuals, let things flow naturally forward. Ask yourself, are you satisfied with the space you’ve created?

Stay safe everyone and this shall pass soon! For those who still have to go out for work -you are braver than you believe!